Sellers occasionally label certain Flavian Victory types as part of the 'Judaea Capta' series in fairly dubious ways for promotional reasons - doing so will bring in biblical punters and other collectors who would otherwise have overlooked a piece. Not all of these Victory types are part of the series and should more appropriately be viewed in generic terms - especially if there are no legends or devices that clarifies the matter. IMHO, my latest coin is one that unmistakeably is a true 'Judaea Capta' Victory type based on its design. Vespasian Æ As, 10.91g Rome mint, 71 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: VICTOR AVGVSTI; S C in field; Victory adv. l. to place shield on trophy; below, Judaea std. l. RIC 332 (R2). BMC 615. BNC -. Hendin 1556b Acquired from Witter Coins, eBay, May 2020. Formerly in NGC holder 4683650-004, grade 'F', strike 4/5, surface 3/5. This is a not so common 'Judaea Capta' As. The type of Victory and trophy with Judaea seated below has several variant reverse legends on the As, many of which are quite rare. This example has the unique reverse legend 'VICTOR AVGVSTI', which only appears on this one variant. Although lacking a 'Capta' legend, this reverse certainly refers to the recently concluded Jewish War - the defeated captive personifying Judaea sitting at the base of the trophy strongly declares the type's meaning under no uncertain terms. Later, this same type was more commonly struck in silver for Divus Vespasian under Titus commemorating one of his finest achievements. Divus Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.45g Rome mint, 79-80 AD (Titus) Obv: DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS•; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: EX S C across field; Victory adv. l. to place shield on trophy; below, Judaea std. l. RIC 364 (C). BMC 112. RSC 144. BNC 90. Acquired from Vaughn Rare Coin Gallery, June 2006. In contrast, this denarius featuring Victory sans captive struck a year or so after the As can be viewed as a universal triumphal Victory type. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.42g Rome Mint, 72-73 AD Obv: IMP CAES VESP A-VG P M COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: VICTORIA AVGVSTI; Victory, draped, advancing r., holding palm over l. shoulder in l. hand and with r. about to place wreath on a standard set in ground on r. RIC 362 (C2). BMC 74. RSC 618. BNC 60. Acquired from Incitatus Coins, July 2004. Feel free to post your Victories!
Here's a coin which was struck at Antioch under Theodosius. Reverse has Victory with a Cross. The second coin was struck under Marcus Aurelius. The military outfit on reverse might suggest that it could be related to Judaea Capta.
Vespasian (Augustus) Coin: Brass Sestertius IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III - Laureate head right IVDAEA - CAPTA - Palm tree; to left, Vespasian standing right, foot on helmet, holding spear and parazonium; to right, Jewess seated right on cuirass, in attitude of mourning. Exergue: SC Mint: Rome (71 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 20.89g / 33.07mm / 6h References: RIC II 167 Hendin 1504 Sear 2327 BMCRE 543-4 BN 498 Provenances: Marc R. Breitsprecher Pegasi auction Acquisition/Sale: Marc R. Breitsprecher Internet $0.00 11/18 Notes: Nov 8, 18 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection
I would be remiss if I didn't also include an example of the Victory type struck for the denarius in 79. Vespasian AR Denarius, 3.30g Rome Mint, 79 AD Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r. Rev: TR POT X COS VIIII; Victory adv. l. to place shield on trophy; below, Judaea std. l. RIC 1068 (C). BMC 246. RSC 552. BNC 214. Acquired from Calgary Coin, July 2005. Take note that it is the same design as seen on the OP coin.
Ae sestertius of Judea capta series - reverse is double struck ( would be great for modern collectors. Ae As of Titus as Caesar - with victory reverse , standing on ship rudder - I think this is a more "generic" victory coin of the type David was referring to. Next is a "victory coin" of Nero - dupondius.
